In light on the ongoing tragedies related to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, on March 22, 2022, ASAM and other stakeholders sent a letter, spearheaded by former Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, to the Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and the U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator, Samantha Power. The letter urges mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) be integrated in the U.S. relief efforts, and that the U.S. coordinate with multilateral health organizations and the World Health Organization to address mental health and SUDs caused and exacerbated by the invasion.

“Prioritizing these needs is especially important for Ukrainians living with mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD). The invasion has severely disrupted access to treatment both inside Ukraine and for many of the 3 million refugees who have fled the country. Barriers include clinicians and patients not being able to reach health facilities, large disruptions to medication supply chains, the loss of medical and travel documents, individuals’ lack of financial resources, and interruptions in harm reduction programs such as sterile syringe exchange programs,” the letter stated.